Being a voice for Children, giving Children their voice ... · •Personal, Social & Emotional...

Being a voice for Children, giving Children their voice / Building Foundations for Learning Together / Every Child as a Unique Individual

What is a Nursery School?

• Funded by Bristol City Council

• Employing qualified & experienced teachers & practitioners

• Staffed & organised much like a Primary School ( 44 members of staff)

• Focus on education & wellbeing of young children

• Prioritises the most vulnerable


How are we organised?

• 4 classes for children aged three & four years old

• 2 classes for children aged two & three years old

• Places for children with SEND some of whom have severe & complex needs

• Ratios of adults to children aged three & four are 1:10

• Ratios for children aged two & three are 1:4

• Enhanced ratios for children with SEND


Staff Structure

• Each class is led and managed by a teacher qualified to degree level or beyond usually with a degree in Early Years Education.

• Early Years Practitioners work with the teachers, many are also graduates but all are qualified to at least level 3.

• The school also has a Headteacher, Deputy & Assistant Headteacher.

• The Deputy leads on Inclusion.

• The school also has a team who work in the office who are led & managed by a School Business Manager.


Daily Routine– Morning session

• 8.45am Register & Welcome Time—adult led time

• 9.05am Free Flow Play/Work Time ( inside & out)

• 10.15am Milk & Fruit Time (contributions of £1.00 a week )

• 10.30am Free Flow Play/Work Time ( inside & out)

• 11.15am Tidy Up Time

• 11.30am End of Morning: stories, songs circle time

—adult led time

• 11.45am Children are collected

TIME ACTIVITY


Daily Routine – Afternoon session

• 12.30pm Register & Welcome Time

• 12.50pm Free Flow Play/Work Time ( inside & out)

• 2.00pm Milk & Fruit Time

• 2.15pm Free Flow Play/Work Time ( inside & out)

• 3.00pm Tidy Up Time

• 3.15pm End of Day: stories, songs, circle time

—adult led time

• 3.30pm Children are collected

TIME ACTIVITY


The National Curriculum for Early Years

Called The Early Years Foundation Stage

• The Prime Areas:• Personal, Social & Emotional Development

• Communication & Language• Physical Development

• Additional Areas:• Expressive Arts & Design• Knowledge of the World

• Maths• Literacy


• http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/files/2012/03/Development-Matters-FINAL-PRINT-AMENDED.pdf

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/files/2012/03/Development-Matters-FINAL-PRINT-AMENDED.pdf

Inclusion

• The EYFS is about all children.

• “The EYFS seeks to provide…. equality of opportunity & anti-discriminatory practice, ensuring that every child is included &

supported” (DfE, 2014b)

• Intervening early to support children prevents failure later on

• How are children's needs identified?

“If you have a black face or any face or even if you’re skinny you still hold hands” Maryam aged 4


What makes an 'Effective Setting’

• Activities led by adults but also those that children choose

• Children need opportunities to explore for themselves & follow their interests as well as specific learning opportunities that the staff plan for them….. There is plenty of research that tells us that this mix works effectively!

• The EPPE/EPPSE research

• “Effective pedagogy is both 'teaching’ & the provision of instructive learning environment & routines”


Characteristics of Effective Learning:

• Playing & exploring--- engaged independently in their own learning

• Self-motivated active learners

• Creative & critical thinkers—problem solvers


Assessment & Children's Progress

• “ Ongoing assessment…… involves practitioners observing children to understand their level of achievement, interests & learning styles, & to then shape learning experiences for each child reflecting those observations” ( DfE 2017b )

• Learning Diaries provide a great way to help a child reflect on their learning, share with each other & share with parents/careers.

• Teachers regularly summarise what they know about each child to ensure what is planned is meeting their needs & they are making progress.


Behaviour• First things first---positive relationship building

• The importance of environmental influence on behaviour

• The balance between structure & freedom

• Rewards, resolutions & the development of strong social, moral & emotional behaviour

• “Positive reinforcement is the most effective way to promote positive behaviour—catching the child being good---promotes self-confidence & self-esteem which are vital life skills & enable children to be active learners.”


The Conflict Resolution Approach to Behaviour

• Go to School Policy


Safeguarding

• All staff have Safeguarding Training & are DBS checked

• The Head is the Designated Safety Lead

• Practitioners working with children in the EYFS have to be especially vigilant and support children to understand how to protect themselves physically & emotionally.

• The learning environment also supports children to feel safe & secure and promotes an open culture

• Staff work in partnership with both parents/carers & other agencies


Outdoor Learning & Forest School

• The outdoors is a powerful & enabling learning environment.

• Learning outdoors results in children who are curious, knowledgeable & resilient learners, with self-regulation, direction & organisation, and the skills & disposition needed for lifelong learning.

• The outdoor environment is a different place for children & their learning

• Outdoor provision is just as important as indoor provision for learning

• Excellence in the early years cannot be achieved without paying full attention to outdoor provision & practice


What can you do to support your child?

✓Arrive on time & come every day—regular attendance is important

✓Make sure you are careful where you park—better still, walk or cycle

✓Put your child in easy to wear clothes that don't matter if they get dirty

✓Make sure your child is toilet trained

✓Take part in our activities… join in, we always need volunteers, governors, forest school helpers etc.

✓Let us know about any significant events

✓Make sure we have your up to date contact details


Thank you….

• “For all the love, care & support you have shown us all over the last 10 years” (7 children!)

• For constantly inspiring us to be better parents

• “And for creating such an exciting & nurturing learning environment for our children”

• Information is always available on our school website: www.stwerburghs.com our Face Book page & Twitter


http://www.stwerburghs.com/

Being a voice for Children, giving Children their voice ... · •Personal, Social & Emotional...

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